At least 24 persons have been confirmed dead, and over 40 injured in a suicide bombing attack on Monday.

The suicide attacker reportedly collided with a commuter bus carrying a large number of government officials who were on their way to work during the Monday morning rush hour.

Image shows a group of men observing the remains of their properties at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, July 24, 2017

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the gruesome murders, saying they had to eliminate some intelligence service officials.

Media reports say the attack occurred at a strategic location in the western Kabul neighborhood which serve as home to some prominent politicians. The victims include residents who were on their way to work, and some students at a nearby private high school.

“The bomber attacked at one of the busiest times of the day,” Kabul’s police chief spokesman Basir Mujahed told The Associated Press.

“There were traffic jams with people going to work and to the university and schools. Many of the shops had just opened.”

An eyewitness named Mohammed Nader, who owns a shop around the location, said the blast went off with a very loud noise which shook the ground, according to a report from AP.

Police said occupants of the minibus include a group of employees from the mines and petroleum ministry.

Taliban claims the person behind their “successful” attack was an insurgent who they identified by his first name Ahmad, adding that they spent nearly 2 months on the trails of the attack victims.

“Once again, these terrorist are attacking civilians and targeting government staff,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in an emotional statement

A Twitter video from local news outlets shows officials cordoning off the area after the blast which left plumes of smoke and shattered glass everywhere.